Ashtray



Ju.. 23, '1940. F, v, BA'RKER 2,187,896

ASHTRAY Filed Jan. 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO R N EY l Jan. 23., 1940'. F v BARKER v 2,187,896

ASHTRAY Filed Jan. 8, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FREP M BAR/(ER @Env ATTORN EY Patented Jan. 23, 1940 UNITED i STATES `PATENT [OFFICE f 2,187,896 ,e ai I. Y ASHTRAY i a-.s

y y y Fred Visger Barker, Alexandria Bay, N. Y. 'I e Application January s, 193s, serial No. 183,985`

m.' 4 e v5 claims. (o1. isi-235) y This invention yrelates to an ashtray that possesses novel features of construction for eX- tinguishing the ignited end of a cigarette, either automatically when the cigarette has burned a 95'5 predetermined distance or alternatively by the L action of the smoker inserting the lighted end into a suitably yprovided space.

More particularly the invention resides in an e ashtray construction which broadly comprises @to two substantially' parallel plates vinto. which va cigarette may beinserted or into which it will 4slide and v'when lbetween the 'plates will'be' exltinguishe'd. f The conventional ashtray Ahas usua11y -been elI' provided with means for resting an ignited cigarette thereon, for receiving the ashes .but when the smoker'desiresktt'i extinguish a cigarette he must pressthe lightedend against the bottom of the ash 4tray to break the-"ignited portion p Vfrom the'unburned tobacco. Frequently aloiga- 'rette is' `laid down ad forgotten Whichicase it maylfall off the ash tray and'bur'n theltableon which the ash-tray is supported or drop onto the carpet or rug, causingl combustion there. In many" instances, pressing the end of the ciga- 'rette ilrml'y against the ashtray is ineiective and the cigarette continues vto 'smolder until it has been completely burned up addingto the smoke in the room and oftenls'preading the burning yaction to lother cigarettebutts in the tray.

Various means -have been heretofore suggested forfovercoining these difcultiea* as for example, cigarettes have been'ffi'rrn'l'y gripped ingripping `v elements which hold the cigarette position and devices have 'been provided for inserting .l the cigarette ytherein to extinguish the ignited end. However, most-of these devices are'of'a type that are quite complicated and the average 40 smoker,` ratherthan use such ashtrays as they are designed tok be used, places his cigarette thereon in the normal -manner and the effective 'action of the holders or extinguishers 'are'lost This inventionseeksto provide an ashtray which, in'addition to providing the usual functions of a support for the cigarette and a holder toreceive the Iashes, supplies'safety features for the extinguishing of the cigarettel and also for'preventing its continued smoldering if it is L leftv on the ashtray."4 i

'Ihe construction herein provided is to general outward appearances quite similar to conventional ashtrays, yet, in its ,normal use the smoker naturally places the cigarette thereon so as to make the ash tray automatically effective to extinguish the cigaretteif it is left there for a sufficient length of time. `Unless the cigarette is apparently abandoned, there is no extinguishing action and the cigarette continues to burn in its normal manner avoiding the undesirable eiectl' of a quenched cigarette should the smoker desireto continue hissmoking after having left it on the ash tray for a short interval of time. The invention also provides a very convenient extinguishing means which can be used if the t`-lfsmoker desiresy to i intentionally extinguish the end of the cigarette without the necessity of putting his fingers into the ashes that are gathered at the bottom of the ashtray.

An important object attained by this invention 16 is a construction useful for ashtrays whether of axconventional table or stand type or of atype to be used in a vehicle, as for example, on the dashboard of an automobile. The same principle of construction is applicable to either or all *.20

' types of ashtrays.

To obtain these and relatedobjects which will be apparent hereinafter or specifically set forth, thisvinvention comprises an ashtray of a construction illustrated as to certain preferred em- 1.275 bodiments in the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the ashtray and a cigarette partly Vburned as well as an extinguished cigarette; @p30 Figure'z is a View in cross-section of the ashtray illustrated in Figure 1; l l

Figure 3 is a modified form of ashtray of a v type similar to that shownin Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an ash- 35 tray embodiedin a drawer which can be mounted on the dashboard or other portions of a vehicle body; while Figure 5 is across-sectional view 4along the line 5-5 -of *Figurel 4 showing the ashtray con- 40 structionin plan.A

Referring rst to Figures 1 and `2, wherein corresponding parts have similar reference numerals, the ashtray'as therein embodied comprises a base 2 which may be of any desired. shape or construction'and is conveniently made of metal with a felt bottom to prevent scratching any surface on which it may be laid. As will be evident, the baser? may be attached to a pedestal. Projecting upwardly from the base `:50 2 is a cylindrical member il that serves as a support for the remaining portions of the ashtray which may comprise a plurality of substantially parallel conically shaped discs. The lower conical disc 6 has a central 'aperture sufficiently.

large to receive the cylindrical member 4 to which it may be fastened by suitable fastening means. Above the disc 6 is a second conical disc 8 conveniently mounted on the top of the cylindrical member 4 or may be a single piece forming the base, cylindrical member and conical disc in which case the cylindrical member 4 would be open at the top. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures l and 2, the upper conical disc 3 is a true cone and may form a support for a match box holder I0.

In the preferred construction, the outer edge I2 of the lower conical disc 6 and the outer edge I4 of the conical disc 8 are in substantially the same horizontal plane as compared to the base 2. These edges may be smooth or have depressed or cut-away portions to reduce the tendency of a cigarette to roll off the ashtray. With this arrangement a cigarette C when laid on the ash tray in the normal manner as seen in Figures 1 and 2, will rest on the two edges I2 and I4. The lighted end L of the cigarette C will be above the upper conical disc 8 and the ashes would normally be discharged into this receptacle. Ir" however, a cigarette C is laid in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the lighted portion continues to burn, it will gradually reach the point B just above the edge I4.

When the ash has progressed back to this point, the edge I4 will not support the paper of the cigarette but will be against the ash which, being much weaker than the paper and tobacco portion. will break by the weight of the cigarette and it will fall down into the receptacle formed by the lower disc 6 which, being on an incline, will cause the cigarette to slide so that the lighted end is between the discs 6 and B. Tlns position is illustrated by the cigarette C in which the ignited end is in between the plates 6 and I2 where, because of the restricted supply of air, freedom from air currents, and the loss of heat to the metallic conical discs E and 8, it will be readily extinguished.

The modified construction illustrated in Figure 3 dispenses with the separate base member 2 and comprises two inverted frusto-conical members the lower of which is designated as I5, which may have a slightly depressed base portion I 8. The upper truste-conical member 20 may be spaced from the lower frusto-conical member I6 by a cylindrical washer 22 and the two frusto cones held in their proper relationship by a threaded screw 24 inserted through a countersunl; opening 23 in the base member i8. The threaded screw 24 is screwed into an upright handle 28 that may serve simply as a decorative handle for the ash tray or a support for a match box or book of matches.

The construction shown in Figure 3 produces the same result as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that a cigarette C, when supported in the position shown with its ignited end L above the upper frusto-conical member 20, will, when the ash has progressed back to B above the edge 30 of the upper frusta-conical member 2D, pivot about the upper edge 32 of the lip 33 on the lower frusto-conical member 28, and slide or fall into the compartment formed between the two frusto cones 56 and 26 as shown by the position of the cigarette identified as C.

Instead of depending upon the ashtray to automatically extinguish the cigarette, the smoker may, if he desires, insert a cigarette between the two truste-conical members in theposition shown by the cigarette C' and thereby cause it to become extinguished.

The conical member or the truste-conical members of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 may be considered as generated by the rotation of a line about an axis in which the rotating line is at an angle to that axis. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures l and 2 the generating line for the cone 8 and the generating line for the frusto-conical member G are almost exactly parallel while the generating lines for the frusto-conical sections I6 and 2D of Figure 3 are substantially although not exactly parallel. This latter construction permits a slightly more ready insertion of the ignited end of the cigarette between the two members. However, in both constructions, the generating lines of the two related surfaces are substantially parallel and spaced apart an average distance equal to the diameter of a cigarette.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 wherein the principles of this invention are applied to an ashtray designed particularly for mounting on the dashboard of a vehicle. The dashboard of the vehicle or a plate for surrounding an opening made into the dashboard of the vehicle and identified by the reference numeral 40 carries a rectangular receptacle 42 closed except at the opening in the dashboard or plate 4I). This receptacle 42 is of such size and shape as to receive a drawer formed in the manner hereinafter described. The front of the drawer is a plate 44 to which is attached a handle 46 held in position by a screw 48.

Attached to the lower edge of the drawer plate 44 as at 50 is a strip of metal identified as 52. This strip of metal 52 projects substantially at right angles to the plate 44 for the length of the receptacle 42 when it is bent upwardly at the point 54, continuing in that direction for they heighth of the receptacle 42 where another bend 56 is made back toward the front plate 44. .A short distance from the rear of the receptacle 42 the strip 52 is bent downwardly as at 58 and a short distance from this point the strip is bent obliquely toward the lower rear of the receptacle 42 as at 60. Adjacent the bends 54, the strip 52 makes a smooth bend of relatively large radius at 62, from which point it continues toward the front plate 44 in a generally upward direction to its end 64.

It will thus be seen that the strip 52 from the point where it is attached to the plate 44 to its end 64 forms the bottom, rea-r and a portion of the top of a drawer formed within the receptacle 42 and also provides an upper plate 66 between the bends 60 and 62 and a lower plate 68 substantially parallel thereto between the bend 62 and the end of the strip 52 at 64. These plates 66 and 68 are not coextensive but the lower plate 68 projects substantially beyond the upper limit of the plate 66. The drawer is completed by two side members 10 and 'I2 to form a closed receptacle except for the open top between the bend 58 and the front plate 44. The ashtray may be drawn from its receptacle 42 so that" substantially the entire open top is exposed, its outward movement being limited as by a catch 14 which will engage the bend at 58.

This construction as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 represents a very desirable form of ashtray for a vehicle, since when it is withdrawn the smoker may readily deposit ashes into the drawer and they will, for the most part, fall into the general compartment 16. However, when it is desired to tinguished. It is not necessary for the driver to observe where he places the cigarette although he may place it with ignited end in, in the position shown in C' of Figure 5, or he may simply drop it on the plate 63 in which case it willroll and assume a position similar to that illustrated by the cigarette C' in Figure 4.

Asin the case of the cones or rusto cones of Figures l, 2 and 3, the two ilat plates 56 and 683' of Figure 4 may be considered as generated by the movement of two lines in planes substantially parallel to each other. The closed portion formed between the `plates 65 and 68 as well'as by the curved portionBZ, provides an extinguisher yfor the cigarette and is formed by two iiat plates substantially parallel to each other.

In considering the several modifications or ernbodiments of the invention, it will be noted that the lines generating the plates which are in a plane passing at right angles to the plates are substantially parallel. Considered from another angle, the two plates at their exposed'ends are spaced apart slightly greater than the diameter of a cigarette while at their remote ends theyare separated by a distance slightly less than the di-r ameter of a cigarette.

This construction permits the ready application of the principle herein involved for extinguishing a cigarette which may be either dropped or will slide in between the plates to be extinguished.

Instead of embodying the invention in a drawer as shown in Figures l and 5, various other types of receptacles may be employed where the ashtray is to be embodied in an accessory for a vehicle. For example, it could be pivote'd o1' could be set upright as will be apparent to those skilled in the art it being important only that the two plates 66 and B8 be arranged in a generally similar manner although their horizontal position may be varied as will be evident. l

While the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various vchanges can be made from the construction herein specifically shown and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 98,386 led August 4257, 1938, for an Ashtray.

What is claimed is:

1. An ashtray'of the character described comprising supporting means, a rst plate having inclined walls on said supporting means, a second plate extending outward from said supporting means below the iirst plate having its outer edge in substantially the same horizontal plane as the edge of the first plate, all corresponding elements of the upper surface of the lower plate and the lower surface of the upper plate being substantially parallel, said plates being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the common cigarette and thereby providing a space between cigarette, whereby an ignited cigarette when i placed in a supported position on' the edges of both plates will fall into said second plate after the ash of the ignited portion thereof has sepn arated from the body of the cigarette at the first plate.

2. An ashtray of the character described comprising supporting means, a rst inverted conical plate on said supporting'means, a second inverted frustof-conical plate extending outward from said supporting meansbelow the rst plate having its outer edge. in substantially-the same horizontal plane as the edge of the iirst plate, corresponding elements of the upper surface ofthe lower plate and the lower surface of the upper plate being parallel, said plates being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the common cigarette and thereby providing a space between said plates adapted to receive and smother a cigarette,vwhereby an ignited cigarette when placed in a supported position on the edges of both plates will fall into said second plate after the ash of the said plates ladapted to receive and smother a edge of the rst plate, `portions ofsaid plates being spaced a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the' common` cigarette and thereby providing a space between said plates adapted to receive and smother a cigarette, whereby an ignited cigarette when placed in a supported position on the edges of both plates will fall into said second plate and in smotheringrelation tosaid first plate after ther ash of the ignited portion thereof has separated from theA body of the cigarette at the first plate.

4. An ashtray of the character described comprising two spaced inclined plates, means closing the space between said plates at least along the vlower edges of said plates, said plates being coextensive overa substantial area and separated a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the common cigarette and thereby providing a space between said plates down which a cigarette may slide or roll 'and adapted to receive and smother ya cigarette.

5. An ashtray for receiving cigarette ashes and for extinguishing an ignited cigarette comprising a first member embodying a surface generated by a straight line, a second member embodying a surface generated by a straight line, said members being substantially parallel so that the generating lines when in a plane perpendicular to the two members are substantially parallel and spaced apart a distance approximately that of a common cigarette to provide a space between the members into which a cigarette may be inserted or into which it will slide or roll and be extinguished.

FRED VISGER BARKER. 

